The baton of office for the Sector Commander of the Tema Collection of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), was on Tuesday changed from Assistant Com-missioner Alhaji Osman Awudu to Assistant Commissioner John Vianney Kuudamnuru at Tema.

The colourful but emotional ceremony which brought personnel from the various security agencies and stakeholders from the port community as well as family and friends, was also the pull-out parade ceremony for Alhaji Awudu.

The out-going Sector Commander has been in active service for 32 years and held various positions and also served in several collections and stations in different parts of the country including Kumasi, Honuta-Ho, Aflao, the headquaters and Gateway Services Limited.

In a citation read in his honour, Alhaji Awudu was described, among others, as a pillar in the Customs Division of GRA who spurred the Division to its current reputation with his discipline and teamwork.

The Commissioner General for the GRA, George Blankson commended Alhaji Awudu for his service of excellence and distinction which has facilitated the mentoring of many personnel to promote the efficiency of the Tema Collection.

He was particularly impressed that despite the fact that the job comes with a lot of temptation, as it involves coming into contact with money, AlhajiAwudu was able to stand out without being sanctioned, reprimanded or any disciplinary action taken against him, and encouraged other officers to emulate his example.

Mr. Blankson encouraged the out-going Sector Commander to document his experiences, thoughts, ideas and secrets of success to guide others who are still in the profession, and also make himself available for consultation while wishing him well in his retirement.

Alhaji Awudu, on his part, expressed appreciation to all persons who in diverse ways helped to make the discharge of his duties a success.

He disclosed that his career in Customs was based on the principles of knowledge, service to nation, professionalism and integrity, and urged all officers to take their training seriously, humble themselves, act professionally, and be fair and firm always.

The out-going Sector Commander however recommended that, with the status and responsibilities of the Tema Collection, the board and management of GRA consider raising the headship of the Collection from Assistant Commissioner to the level of Deputy Commissioner.

The in-coming Sector Commander, Kuudamnuru applauded his predecessor for working hard to raise the standard of the Tema Collection and wished him the best of luck in his endeavours.

He also promised to work diligently to uphold the image of the GRA to justify the confidence reposed in him, and called on all staff and stakeholders to offer him the needed support and co-operation to enable him accomplish the task ahead.

Meanwhile, a conference room has been named after Alhaji Awudu as a form of remembrance for “a job well done”.